How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth

How much compensation you can expect to receive following a car accident depends entirely on how your claim is assessed and valued. There are various factors considered when calculating compensation due, and hiring a car accident lawyer can be of considerable help in making sure the full extent of your suffering is considered throughout the process. 

Read on for more details on the multitude of factors that influence a car accident settlement and how a reputable car accident lawyer can help you make a full recovery.

Factors That May Apply in Your Car Accident Claim

Before moving ahead with your case, your lawyer will seek to determine liability to establish you bear no fault and are thus entitled to compensation. Liability can be complicated to prove, relying on assessing an array of factors that may contribute to road traffic accidents, such as negligent driving, alcohol consumption, and cellphone use. Road traffic laws exist to highlight these dangers and deter road users from breaking them and potentially putting themselves and others at risk. 

If your lawyer believes another party is liable for your accident, they’ll rely on the gathering of evidence to further prove support your claim. A high volume of information gathered in the initial investigation is of great help towards seeking the compensation you’re owed. CCTV footage, witness statements, or dashcam footage can all aid your case and help build an accurate picture of the events that occurred. 

How Is a Settlement Negotiated? 

All car accident cases are unique, and your lawyer will consider this when assessing the severity of your losses. They’ll determine both short-term and long-term complications of your accident and the implications these have had on you as an individual, physically, emotionally, and financially. You may be required to fill out an ‘Alabama state board of adjustment claim for personal injury’ as part of this process.

Settlements in car accident settlements can range from anywhere between $2,000 and $2,000,000. It’s difficult to accurately quantify an individual’s financial loss and their pain and suffering. For this reason, claims are considered on their own merits, taking into account all aspects of the victim’s life to reach a representative figure. Your lawyer will use all relevant factors to approach the opposing party, or their insurer, with a settlement they feel represents the suffering you’ve endured and attempt to negotiate an agreement.

How long this process takes is dependent on how willing the opposing party is to agree to the terms offered. More complicated cases, in which the compensation sought is higher, may result in a more extended negotiation period or may end up being heard in court instead. Though this may seem intimidating, a protracted case may allow the court to take long-term damages into greater account, and you may therefore receive a higher sum of compensation. Your lawyer will provide guidance and advice throughout the process, allowing you to make informed decisions on how you’d like to proceed.

Find the Right Car Accident Lawyer in Birmingham, Alabama

If you’ve been the victim of a car accident through no fault of your own, contact Henry Dailey Law Firm for advice on how to proceed and representation in your upcoming case. You can reach us via our contact form or call us at 205-995-2412 to schedule your free consultation today. We’re always happy to help victims in our community seek the justice they deserve. For more quick answers, check out our car accident FAQ page.

Alabama Car Accident Laws You Should Know

If you’ve been in a car accident and aren’t sure what you need to know to file a claim, several state laws could make or break your case. We understand just how traumatic a car accident can be, whether you were the driver or a passenger. For that reason, it’s important to establish fault as early as possible to start you on the way to the compensation you deserve

Relevant Alabama State Laws 

Alabama’s Statute of Limitations requires those filing a claim following a car accident to do so within two years, as specified in Alabama Code Section 6-2-38. With that said, it’s always advisable to file your claim sooner rather than later, as evidence can deteriorate or disappear as time passes, severely hampering your case. 

Alabama law requires the claimant must establish contributory negligence as a primary factor in the accident suffered. This essentially requires you or your legal representative to prove you carry zero fault for the accident itself and the blame is solely on the other party. Contributory negligence means if your actions were determined to be 10% of the reason the accident occurred, you would only be able to pursue 90% of your compensation, despite the other party bearing a much more significant proportion of fault. Speaking to a lawyer can be invaluable in establishing you were blameless and thus entitled to full compensation.

Alabama Insurance Requirements

Alabama is a fault-based compensation state, which opens up more options to establish fault when pursuing your claim. Alabama law makes liability insurance mandatory to operate a motor vehicle. If the other party in your accident is found not to have taken out said insurance, their negligence in following the laws governing drivers gives you an immediate basis to file for compensation. 

A driver involved in a car accident while uninsured or underinsured can find themselves on the receiving end of hefty fines. If you’re able to further prove other forms of negligence contributed to the accident, such as mobile phone usage or alcohol impairment, for example, then you may be entitled to a more significant sum of compensation. 

Get in Touch with an Alabama Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in a car accident due to the negligent actions of another party, you must pursue your case as quickly as possible. You’ll have access to guidance and information on what you may be entitled to by hiring a lawyer. Factors you may not have considered, such as medical expenses and loss of earnings, are compensable losses. Your lawyer can handle the insurance process and help to ensure your compensation accurately reflects the caliber of your injuries, loss, and hardships caused by pursuing both economic and non-economic damages.

If you’d like to speak to someone regarding your accident, whether you’re looking for representation or simply some advice, then contact a member of our team at Henry Dailey Law Firm. We’re always happy to help, so leave us a message on our contact form above, or call 205-995-2412 to schedule your free case review today. You can also visit our FAQ page for more quick answers.

Insurance Claim Process for Car Accidents

Being in a car accident is difficult, both emotionally and physically. You’re hurt, unable to work, your car is busted, and the bills never stop coming. Any time you’re in a car accident and suffer a loss, you’ll need to file an insurance claim. But how does car insurance work?

Car insurance claims can be a confusing task in complex claims that involve injury and multiple forms of compensable loss. Every insurance company’s process will vary slightly, but there are some general guidelines you can follow. Read on to learn about insurance claims and how a local car accident lawyer can help yours succeed.

What Information Do I Need to File an Insurance Claim?

The easiest way to get a car insurance claim started is with the help of a trusted injury lawyer. They can make sure your paperwork is all together and ensure you meet filing deadlines so you don’t risk the claim being rejected or delayed. 

Together, you’ll need to submit the following:

  • Names, contact, insurance, and vehicle information for all the people that are in involved in the accident
  • Location, time of day, and weather conditions at the time the accident happened
  • Photos of vehicle damage 
  • Names and badge numbers of any officers that responded to the incident 
  • A copy of the accident report from the police

A copy of the accident report can be retrieved at the police station and in some cities online by request. You will also need to ensure you have the full names of all the police officers that came to the scene of the accident. 

Injuries claims need to observe the state’s statute of limitations, which is the deadline individuals have to pursue compensation after a loss. In Alabama, it is two years from the date of the incident or loss. If you don’t file the claim in time, you’ll likely be barred from any opportunity for compensation.

If you’re unsure about your deadline to file, reach out to a reputable car accident lawyer today.

Working with an Insurance Adjuster

Once you have submitted the claim, you’re assigned an insurance adjuster who usually makes first contact within seventy-two hours to schedule an in-person visit to evaluate the damage to the vehicle. This will help the insurance company to determine who is liable for the accident

Some insurance companies will make you get your own repair estimate though at a repair shop. The repair shop can inspect the damage and then send a report to the insurance company. You always have the right to choose which repair shop you want to use.

If the adjuster and your repair shop agree to the repairs and their cost, that’s one element of your claim you can be checked off your to-do list. 

Compensable Losses and Pursuing Compensation

You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for any of the losses you’ve suffered when another party is liable for your injuries. Car accidents are dangerous and can be deadly. They frequently result in severe injuries, such as brain damage, spinal cord injury, and severe burns

Receiving funds for medical care and lost wages still needs to be addressed. You can send all medical records and bills directly to the insurance adjuster along with paystub information documenting your lost wages. 

This form of compensable loss can be trickier to calculate because it also includes your intangible loss, such as pain, emotional anguish, and post-traumatic stress disorder. You don’t want to leave money on the table when it comes to funding your recovery. Your car accident lawyer has the tools and experience to quantify the value of all your losses. That means your compensation should reflect the caliber of injury, loss, and hardship caused by the accident.

Contact a Lawyer

When you need compensation to fund your recovery after a car accident and you’re ready to take back control of your life, contact the Henry Dailey Law Firm to have a top-rated lawyer pursuing justice in your name while you focus on your health and returning to normal life as best you can. 

Start today by scheduling your free consultation by calling 205-995-2412 to speak with a member of our team. You can also fill out the contact form on this page and we’ll get back to you. For more online answers, check out our car accident FAQ.

I Got Hit by a Car on My Bike—Can I Sue?

If you have been hit by a car on your bike, you might be experiencing emotional and physical pain that has made it hard for you to work or have a normal life. You might be wondering if it’s possible to sue the person who hit you to try and recover some of the expenses you have incurred. 

If you have been hit by a car on your bike, you can sue the other person by filing a personal injury lawsuit

Filing a Personal Injury Case  

Getting hit by a car while riding your bike is a form of negligence that will allow you to file a personal injury lawsuit. Any type of car or bike accident will be a personal injury case that can be brought to a lawyer. Keep in mind that any kind of lawsuit is costly and will take a lot of time before you see any compensation or real results. 

Just because you are in a lawsuit and filing a claim doesn’t mean you will have to spend time in court or have a trial. This usually only happens in complicated cases where the companies fail to negotiate or give you the payout you deserve.  

Going Through the At-Fault Driver’s Insurer 

Sometimes you don’t even need to hire a lawyer or go to court. You can go straight to the driver’s insurance company. This is called a third-party claim. In most states, you can seek compensation from a third party for a number of causes including medical treatment, lost income, repair and replacement of your bike, and any pain or suffering in connection to the car accident and your injuries. 

You will need to have all your medical records and have photos of the injuries. The insurance company will always ask for proof of everything. You might also need to have your doctor fill out extra forms or provide more information. 

Partnering with a lawyer can still be very beneficial even if you aren’t going to court. Lawyers are often able to get more from insurance companies because they are more skilled in negotiating and they know the questions to ask to reach settlements quicker. 

Make sure you have all the information you need from the other driver’s insurance company so you can submit it all to the lawyer. 

Get Ahold of a Personal Injury Lawyer Today 

For suing the person who hit you while you were riding your bike, you should consider partnering with a personal injury lawyer. They will be able to better navigate the court and insurance companies to get you a higher settlement than you could get on your own. Henry Dailey Law Firm is here for you.

Fill out the contact form on this page to get started. You can also call us at 205-995-2412. We are always happy to talk with you. 

How to Get a Copy of an Accident Report

When you’re hurt in a serious car accident, your accident report can help you seek compensation for the suffering you’ve experienced. This report is a valuable piece of evidence related to the accident, but you may be unsure how to file and get a copy of an accident report. 

Luckily, a car accident lawyer near you is here to help. If you’re struggling to get a copy of an accident report, talk to an attorney about acting now and getting your copy as soon as possible. 

How to Report Your Accident 

When you’re hurt in a car accident, one of your first steps is to report your accident. Any accidents involving an injury or death must be reported as soon as possible to the police. 

But even if your car accident only involved minor property damage, you may want to report your accident to the police. You may not know the extent of the damage, and the police report can show you weren’t at fault for the accident

Once you notify the police of the accident, you need to file a written report of the accident as soon as possible. You can submit this report to the Alabama Department of Public Safety

Getting a Copy of Your Accident Report

Once you file your crash report, you may then get a copy of that report to use for your car accident claim. Alabama car accident victims can seek out a copy of their accident report from the police department that investigated the accident for a fee.

Happily, you don’t have to travel to get your report. You may instead request your report online, or you can request a copy be mailed to you. Your lawyer can help you choose the most convenient option for you and your claim. 

How Do I Use My Accident Report? 

Once you have a copy of your accident report, you have a tool you can use to prove you weren’t at fault for the accident. For Alabama car crash victims, this is a key part of their claim. 

That’s because accepting any fault for your accident can lead to your claim being dismissed. To protect the compensation you’re due, you may need as much evidence as possible to prove you weren’t at fault for the accident. Fortunately, your lawyer can use this valuable piece of evidence to support your claim. 

Talk with a Car Accident Lawyer About Your Report

More evidence that you’re due compensation after an accident can be useful when proving your claim. But how do you file your report, and how do you use it in the courtroom? 

The lawyers at Henry Dailey Law Firm can answer these questions and more, providing detailed information about your report and how they’ll use it in the courtroom. If you’re concerned about your claim and how your report can impact the outcome, reach out for a free consultation. We can discuss your next steps and how a lawyer can help your claim succeed. Give us a call at 205-995-2412, or fill out the following online contact form. 

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